Former Premier League star Owen Hargreaves has heaped praise on Arsenal winger Noni Madueke following the 4-0 win over Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup fourth round.
The Gunners returned to winning ways against the Latics at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. They had a superb opening half, bagging four goals in the space of just 27 minutes.
Noni Madueke started the scoring in the 11th minute and continued to impress from the right wing. He won three dribbles and created four chances for his teammates too.
Hargreaves has been a big admirer of Madueke since he arrived at Arsenal last summer. The 45-year-old described him as a ‘great player’ who possesses ‘terrific’ awareness in his link-up play.
He told TNT Sports (via BBC Sport): “Noni Madueke is a great player – he is a smart player, and he is a goalscorer. Again, today, his awareness of when to link play short and when to play in behind was terrific.”
Madueke has been in good form for the Gunners over the past few weeks. The Englishman has scored three goals and provided one assist in his previous five appearances.
It will be interesting to see whether he gets the nod on the right wing when Arsenal face Wolverhampton Wanderers on the road in Wednesday’s Premier League encounter.
Madueke obviously has a brilliant record against Wolves. The 23-year-old scored four goals versus them for Chelsea last term, including a hat-trick at the Molineux Stadium.
Bukayo Saka started in an unfamiliar number 10 position yesterday on the back of Riccardo Calafiori’s warm-up injury, which contributed to multiple role changes in the XI.
Eberechi Eze was expected to start as the attacking midfielder against the Latics with Myles Lewis-Skelly and Christian Norgaard in central midfield. Calafiori’s injury meant that Lewis-Skelly moved to left-back, while Eze was asked to play in a deeper role alongside Norgaard.
Arteta has some big selection decisions to make. If Madueke continues on the right flank, Saka could remain as the no.10, with Martin Odegaard doubtful (knee), or he could operate from the left wing.
Arsenal are four points ahead of Manchester City at the top of the league. They can go seven points clear with a win over Wolves before the Cityzens host Newcastle United on Saturday.